Faculty Spotlight: Judy Burgholzer

Judy BurgholzerDepartment: Horticulture

Judy Burgholzer had a dynamic biology instructor in high school who made the class
fun.

"I particularly enjoyed learning about the plant side of biology," she said. "When
I started college, I declared biology as a major, but I soon discovered I wanted to
be more involved with plants on the macro level. Someone, and I don’t even remember
who, suggested I check out the horticulture department. I had one conversation with
a professor and was hooked."

After graduate school, Burgholzer spent nearly a year working in a soil testing lab
in Indiana. Then she moved to the Chicago area, where she worked for a tropical plant
care company. Teaching wasn't on her radar, but someone recommended that she apply
for teaching positions at area community colleges. Burgholzer did so, although nothing
was available at the time.

But College of DuPage eventually called and asked her to teach a summer class -- and
she never left.

"I discovered that I really enjoy helping people learn. It is so rewarding. My father,
who was also a teacher when I was very young, once told me that he’d always thought
I would be good at teaching others. When I asked him why he never suggested it to
me, he laughed and said, 'I didn’t want to push you!'

"My advice to students is to ask others what they see as your strengths, because they
may see something in you that you don’t see in yourself. It might just help you find
your way to a rewarding career."

Burgholzer is continually inspired by her students, and she likes the range of ages
from traditional-age to students in their 50s and 60s.

"I admire the sacrifices the older students make to seek a career in horticulture,
and I am especially impressed with the younger group coming in who want to become
stewards of the environment. It’s encouraging to know the next generation is so aware
of the issues facing the earth’s growing population and diminishing resources. Because
of the students, I am inspired to do the best I can do in the classroom to help them
reach their goals," she said.

"Most of our students come to us with a passion for horticulture. What I hope they
take away is a good, strong foundation of the basic principles of horticulture to
help fuel that passion. I want them to realize what they learn in class will help
them be even more passionate and confident as they enter the workforce."

College of DuPage Addison Center

College of DuPage Addison Center is located in the Technology Center of DuPage (TCD) on the east side of Swift Road, north of North Avenue and south of Army Trail Road. Swift Road is approximately 3/4 mile west of Route 53 or I-355.

College of DuPage Lisle location

The Lisle location is home to the College of DuPage Foundation, Center of Entrepreneurship and WorkNet Force. College of DuPage Lisle is located in the One Corporate Lakes building at the corner of Forbes and Cabot drives, just north of Warrenville Road.

College of DuPage Naperville Center

College of DuPage Naperville Center is located on the south side of Rickert Drive. Rickert Drive is accessed by turning north from 75th Street two miles west of Washington Street. From Route 59, travel east on 75th Street to Rickert Drive and turn north.

College of DuPage Westmont Center

College of DuPage Westmont Center is located on the west side of Pasquinelli Drive. Pasquinelli Drive is accessed by turning north from Ogden Avenue one block west of Route 83. The center entrance is immediately north of the bank.